Most read articles of 2017

We are coming to the end of 2017 so we took a look at the stats to see what have been our most read stories in the rugby league year just gone.

Off the Record
Now we could have included several of these features in the top 10, because you sure do like your rugby league rumour and gossip. The most popular came just after the end of the season.

Thaler taken off Super League duty
A controversial incident involving Leeds’ Brett Ferres and a crusher tackle on Wigan’s Oliver Gildart saw Thaler excused from Super League duty the following week, though the RFL claimed it was simply part of their usual rotation.

Wigan face investigation over postponed game
A bizarre situation unfolded at the start of the season when 24 hours before kick-off, Wigan called off their game against Widnes without consulting the RFL or the Vikings. The game ended up going ahead at the scheduled time – but as a Widnes home game instead.

Bradford Bulls go into liquidation
It was one of the first stories of the year and one of the most read, as Bradford Bulls’ turbulent recent history continued by them going in to liquidation. They went on to be relegated in 2017 but the good news is it’s been a relatively quiet off-season this time round, but for positive announcements such as the appointment of John Kear.

Five possible contenders for the St Helens job
After weeks of pressure, Keiron Cunningham was eventually relieved of his duties as Saints coach, and we looked at five possible replacements. Ultimately, it went to someone from left-field – Justin Holbrook, who had them within minutes of a Grand Final appearance that seemed unlikely at the half way mark of the season.

Chase dropped by Cas
This proved not to be the most controversial incident of Rangi Chase’s season, as he was dropped by Castleford following an altercation at a taxi-rank. He ended up on loan at Widnes, signing a permanent deal, only for it to all go pear shaped when he tested positive for cocaine after the Vikings game with Wakefield.

Toulouse out of 2018 Challenge Cup
One of the more recent stories on the site, the decision by Toulouse to not partake in the 2018 Challenge Cup which has, as yet, still gone unexplained. The oldest competition in the game deserves more respect than that, and it appears you agree.

Beaumont and Koukash set for Judge Rinder showdown
Rugby league craves terrestrial TV coverage but perhaps not in this manner, as the respective owners of Leigh and Salford went head-to-head over Gareth Hock’s move from one to the other. Still, it was a talking point.

Should Huddersfield have been allowed to postpone St Helens clash?
Our have your say columns are always popular and one that caught your attention more than most was the postponement of Huddersfield’s game against St Helens, with them both out of the Challenge Cup, which enabled both to avoid a second double-header weekend of the season.

Centurions’ boss blasts kick-off change decision
Say what you like about Leigh owner Derek Beaumont, he added colour during their year in Super League and at least put his money where his mouth is. He wasn’t happy with a police-enforced kick-off change against Widnes midway through the season, and there’s nothing like a riled up club owner to get you reading.

What stories do you remember most from 2017? Let us know in the comments below.

Adrian Jackson and Dave Parkinson discuss the last round of Super League and talk about all the stories including Ottawa, coronavirus and the league form of Toronto, Huddersfield and Leeds. [Read more…]